Who do you Trust for Training?

[GlocksAreMe]

As a certified NRA instructor, I see lots of new firearms owners come through the classes.

For experienced owners, if you need, or want training, what's your go to source?

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[SouthernGirl]

Locally, Firearms Academy of Seattle and Thunder Ranch, out of state Gunsite.

 

[TTSX]

Probably not an NRA certified instructor. I'd want someone who's been there, done that rather than someone who signed here and filed that. Even being a member, NRA stuff just rubs me the wrong way.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Dirty Harry, yo.

 

[Tlock]

Yankee Marshall on utube.......

 

[Andy54Hawken]

While I do not "know" him...or have ever been to one of his classes.....
I would trust @Cerberus Group , with training...just based upon what I have read of his postings here on NWFA.
Andy

 

[1911Fanatic]

I can't get out to take any training yet. But I watch videos and read books. The classics like Col. Jeff and Massad Ayoob. If my health were to improve I'd take a vacation and visit Thunder Ranch.

My military training with the M-16 and handguns was rather brief. But Competitive shooting, IDPA and Bullseye, were helpful skill builders.

 

[Lilhigbee]

While I do not "know" him...or have ever been to one of his classes.....
I would trust @Cerberus Group , with training...just based upon what I have read of his postings here on NWFA.
Andy

I have taken training with Steve @Cerberus Group and would recommend him without hesitation!!

 

[hongkong2]

InSights Training with Greg Hamilton.

 

[1775usmc]

A weekend in Chicago.

 

[1911Fanatic]

I know who I wouldn't trust for training…..don;t know if I should name and shame, but he's out in Creswell. He's a loud mouth know it all former Marine.

My son has taught me a lot about tactics and stuff. His was a Combat MOS. Mine wasn't.

 

[ORfisherguyx]

Thunder Ranch was always great, but it's become a little 'tactic-cool' since Mr Smith has stepped back. Much more tattoos, swat guys, night vision and beards.
Used to have a pretty diverse group of instructors, but not so much anymore...

 

[GlocksAreMe]

Probably not an NRA certified instructor. I'd want someone who's been there, done that rather than someone who signed here and filed that. Even being a member, NRA stuff just rubs me the wrong way.

Well, I'm at least one NRA instructor who didn't just sign here and file that. I'm a tenured instructor and someone with over 50 years of firearms experience.

But yes, I have seen some of the NRA instructors that should not be.

 

[teflon6string]

Got a friend in Portland in desperate need of basic hands-on training mostly focused on the 4 fundamental rules of safe gun handling (or 3 NRA). Nothing fancy, "tactical" or promising tighter groups. Just safe range procedures and trigger discipline. What's a good local/semi-local place to recommend?

Thanks for ideas.

 

[titsonritz]

While I do not "know" him...or have ever been to one of his classes.....
I would trust @Cerberus Group , with training...just based upon what I have read of his postings here on NWFA.
Andy

I have taken training with Steve @Cerberus Group and would recommend him without hesitation!!

I have also taken training with Steve @Cerberus Group, will again in the future and recommend him highly. I gone through everything from AR, AK, pistol, shotgun , low light, NV and force on force, much of it multiple times. l have both learned tons of info and had lots of fun. Some of the training was with guest instructors that I also would not hesitate to recommend, two of my favorite being Bill Blowers and Jon Dufresne. There are tons of instructors across the United States I'd love to train with, I could put huge list together. Quite honestly, "Certified NRA Instructors" isn't what I look for, I seek out previous LE and military experience typically SWAT and Special Forces types with emphasis on training. I have not yet trained with the competition guys like Rob Leatham and Gabe White but intend to one of these days.

 

[1775usmc]

There are definitely some training courses I would love to attend once the funds aren't as tight.

Centrifuge
Achilles Heel Tactical
Amtac
Blu Bearing Solutions
Tactical Cowboy
Shivworks
Warrior Poet
Modern Samurai
GBRS
Jeff Mao with Tenicor
Kyle Defoor

Just to name a few. I can't vouch for any of these. I just would like to attend if I had the opportunity and funds. Hopefully down the road.



"NRA Certified" is the equivalent to being a certified "Glock Armorer" it means nothing to me.

 

[Jay Walk]

Yankee Marshall on utube.......

HashTagDoucheNozzledotORG

 

[SCARed]

Ok, I'll throw my recent experience/perspective up here.

I place instructors into 2 categories. OK, 3 really.
There's the been there done that instructors, typically former mil or LE. How they teach is all pretty close, since most learned the same way.

Then there's the "professional instructor". Those are the instructors that while they haven't been there done that in the military or LE sense, they've taken more classes from all the big instructors around the country than most can count. They frequently have done competition shooting as well.

The 3rd that I just created for myself, are the people that have taken a class or two, then take an "instructor" class, get their NRA cert. and think they know what they're doing. I don't go to any of those classes, and can't recommend that one does.

When it comes to training, up until recently, it has all been military centric instructors. That's what I wanted and it was good training. Most have left the area, so I won't throw up any recommendations for that.
The instructors I started with were run of the mill, former combat MOS guys that did a decent job at more of a basic type class. Typically ending with faster stationary shooting. Then I found a few classes with former tier 1 and 2 guys. Those were similar, but progressed faster thru the lesson plan and typically had more movement, basic team tactics, stress shooting etc. All good training.

Last month I took a couple classes from FAS. First time taking a class from a "P.I.". It exceeded my expectations. Without turning this into a FAS review, I'll say that Belle and Eric are both great instructors, and with their vast experience, are able to get their teaching concepts across to a wide array of students. While not much in the shooting portion of the class was really new to me, it's how they taught it that was impressive. I did improve in ways I wasn't expecting.
I could see what I had been missing from the military side, and how valuable a good instructor is, regardless of their background.

A long-winded way of saying find a good instructor to get instruction from. Dont automaticly think because they have a big following they're actually a good instructor. Some actually suck.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

A good instructor will tailor the classes to the students.
As in fitting the lessons / training to their needs and uses.

I have done room and house clearing when in the Army on combat deployments...and while I* could teach someone how to do so ...
How the Army wants it done...is great for the Army...however..it may not be so great for all civilian households....

Just tossing the above out as something to consider.

In any event...
Ifin' anyone wants some training on the care , use and feeding of traditional muzzle loading firearms...
I work for beer....
Andy

*Edit to add...
"I"...as I was on 4 combat deployments...Ranger ...Airborne ....Air Assault...S.E.R.E ...Combat Infantryman's badge...more than a few other awards , medals and decorations....
My point here is ...So What..?
If what or how I teach you , don't apply to you..or your situation...it don't matter none what my background is.

 

[teflon6string]

A good instructor will tailor the classes to the students.
As in fitting the lessons / training to their needs and uses.

I have done room and house clearing when in the Army on combat deployments...and while I* could teach someone how to do so ...
How the Army wants it done...is great for the Army...however..it may not be so great for all civilian households....

Just tossing the above out as something to consider.

In any event...
Ifin' anyone wants some training on the care , use and feeding of traditional muzzle loading firearms...
I work for beer....
Andy

*Edit to add...
"I"...as I was on 4 combat deployments...Ranger ...Airborne ....Air Assault ...Combat Infantryman's badge...more than a few other awards , medals and decorations....
My point here is ...So What..?
If what or how I teach you , don't apply to you..or your situation...it don't matter none what my background is.

Thought of you the other day Andy.